March 2, 2018 Hot Springs National Park

On Friday we traveled to Hot Springs AR, the location of the Hot Springs National Park.  The park was established in 1921 but in 1832 it was established as Hot Springs Reservation.

 There were many spa businesses established that features the use of spring water as a therapeutic cure for all sorts of ailments.  Besides hot baths, steam baths, massages and the like, it also included electrotherapy.   Over the years the problem of water usage allotments became a serious problem.  The park includes portions of downtown Hot Springs, making it one of the most accessible national parks. There are numerous hiking trails and camping areas. Bathing in spring water is available in approved facilities at extra cost.  The row's Fordyce Bathhouse picture below, serves as the park's visitor center; the Buckstaff and Quapaw are the only facilities in 2015 still operating as bathhouses.

 The Quapaw, next door to the Fordyce has different options.  Quapaw Specials

 The water comes out of the ground around 143 degrees and is diluted with cold water to bring it down to about 100 degrees.

 The Arlington Hotel, front building, with about 500 rooms also features Hot Spa and Salon services.

 A rock wall collects the hot mineral water.

The National Park intermingles with the city of Hot Springs.  Bathhouse Row is on one side of the street.  Across the street are museums, antique and art galleries, unique restaurants and live entertainment.

The following pictures are from the Fordyce Bathhouse.  After a hot tub, and a steam treatment, the cold water stream cools one down.

The hot tubs, from days gone by.

Steam bath treatments

Controls to mix hot and cold water to get the temperature down to 100 degrees.

The changing room.

The Salon room

Up on the top floor, a gym was added to help develop muscles.

A hot tub therapy room for people with disabilities.

Hot Springs Mountain, climbs steeply behind the bathhouses and has has hiking trails and a lookout tower, with gift shop, to view the nearby mountains.  The location of the yellow structure includes water slides and other rides, and music groups.  Magic Springs

 

 The hiking trail was 1.7 miles and included category 1 and 1.5 difficulty areas.

 Hot Springs National Park is the 28th National Park that we have visited.

Thanks for keeping an eye out for Grammie.